“Utah and Mexico have a rich history of economic trade,” Herbert said, noting that Utah exports to Mexico last year approached $550 million. “We can maximize the expertise and business opportunities we have in common and explore new ones. There is room to deepen that relationship to benefit both economies.”

Converus, a company from Lehi, introduced its patent-pending lie-detection technology, dubbed EyeDetect, at a three-day technology conference in Mexico City because most of its funding came from Alta Ventures Mexico.

“This enabled us to accelerate the commercialization of this new technology and bring it to the market one year earlier,” said Converus CEO and President Todd Mickelsen, noting that it took University of Utah scientists a decade to develop a “computer-based exam that monitors eye behavior to detect deception.”

Clint Gordon-Carroll, CEO of the Salt Lake City-based company, said in a release that some parts will still come from China, but moving most production to Mexico “makes business sense. Competitive pricing, simpler logistics, quality labor and reduced shipping costs combine to make this choice a no-brainer.”

Orem-based doTerra International said it has established a Mexican subsidiary to oversee sales of its “therapeutic-grade essential oils, oil-infused personal care and spa products, dietary supplements and healthy-living products.”